Keyless can opener



Nov. 19, 1957 c. P. HOBBS KEYLESS CAN OPENER Filed July -19. 1955 INVEN TOR.

s Q M 5. P Ma 3 Km v MY 6/8 W Wf m ATI'DRN EYE United States Patent KEYLESS CAN OPENER Clement Phillips Hobbs, North Sacramento, Calif. Application July 19, 1955, Serial No. 522,901

1 Claim. (Cl. 220-52) This invention relates to a can opener, and more particularly to a device for opening cans of the types having key strips thereon.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which will facilitate the removal of key strips from cans.

Another object of the invention is to provide a can opener which includes means'for insuring that the device is properly aligned on the can to be opened, and wherein there is provided a manually operable locking mechanism for gripping the tongue or key strip of the can so that by subsequently rotating a handle, the key strip can be readily removed from the can without the necessity of using a key or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a can opener which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a plan view illustrating the can opener of the present invention mounted on a can.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken through the can opener.

Figure 3 is a view illustrating the beginning of the step of locking the key strip in the locking mechanism.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the next step wherein the key strip is locked in the locking mechanism.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral designates a can which is to be opened, and the can 10 may contain any desired material such as foodstuffs. The can 10 is of the type that includes a key strip 11 which serves to retain or maintain the cover or end wall 12 in place on the can.

The present invention is directed to a can opener for removing the key strip 11 from the can without the necessity of using a key or the like, and the can opener of the present invention includes a base 14 which may be made of any suitable material such as metal. The base 14 is provided with a central offset portion 15 which is adapted to engage the end wall or cover 12 of the can.

Extending from the base 14 and arranged at right angles with respect thereto is a flat section 16 which terminates in a straight portion 17, Figure 2. The straight portion 17 is provided with a slot 18, and the straight portion 17 terminates in a right angularly arranged lip 19. Extending from the lip 19 or formed integral therewith is a curved finger engaging portion 20.

Mounted in the slot 18 of the straight portion 17 is a stem portion 21 which forms part of a support member 22 and the support member 22 also includes a cradle portion 23, and the cradle portion 23 is provided with an elongated cutout or opening 24 for a purpose to be later described, Figure 3. The support member 22 further includes a reduced diameter portion 25. A locking bar 26 is connected to the portion 25 of the support member 22 so that by manually rotating the locking bar 26, the support member 22 can be rotated.

Rotatably mounted in the support member 22 is a shaft 27 which includes a reduced diameter end portion 28, Figure 2, and a handle 29 is mounted on the reduced diameter portion 28. A hand grip 30 is connected to the handle 29 for rotating the handle and shaft 27. A clamp 31 is provided for retaining the handle 29 connected to the end portion 28 of the shaft 27. The shaft 27 is further provided with a flat section 32 that defines a cam whereby as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, a portion of the key strip 11 can be locked in the cradle 23 when the shaft 27 is rotated.

Extending from the base 14 and secured thereto or formed integral therewith are curved lugs 34 and 35 which are adapted to engage the sides of the can 10 so as to maintain the can opener in its proper position as the key strip is being removed. I

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a can opener which is especially suitable for use in removing key strips "such as the key strip 11 from cans such as the can 10. In use the can 10 may contain any suitable material such as foodstufis, and initially the free end of the strip 11 is extended through the cutout 24 in the cradle 23 as shown in Figure 3 while the shaft 27 is arranged as shown in Figure 3. Then, the handle 29 is moved by means of the hand grip 30 from the broken line position of Figure 1 to the solid line position of Figure 1 and this causes rotation of the shaft 27 from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4. That is, with the finger arranged in engagement with the bar 26, as the handle 29 is rotated, the cradle 23 will remain stationary and the shaft 27 will rotate so that the key strip 11 will be locked in the mechanism as shown in Figure 4. After the strip 11 has been locked in place as shown in Figure 4, manual pressure on the bar 26 can be released and then the handle 29 is rotated by means of the hand grip 30 so that the strip 11 will be wound around the outside of the cradle portion 23 of the support member 22 as shown in Figure 4 whereby the entire strip 11 can be readily removed from the can. The can opener can be held in place on the can by means of the fingers of one hand as shown by broken lines in Figure 1. The lugs 34 and 35 maintain the can opener in its proper position on the can, and each of these lugs may be provided with suitable cutouts or slits so as to provide sufficient clearance for the bead or rim of the can being opened. The slot 18 permits adjustment or movement of the member 22 so that the can opener can be used on cans of different sizes. The fingers of one hand are adapted to be arranged in engagement with the finger en gaging curved portions 33 and 20, while the fingers of the other hand are used to rotate the hand grip 30 and thus remove the strip from the can. The offset portion 15 on the base 14 helps maintain the can opener in its proper aligned and spaced position on the can.

If desired the can opener of the present invention can be mounted on a wall bracket. The slot 18 also permits movement of the member 22 and its associated parts, as the metal strip 11 builds up or winds up on the cradle 23. The curved lugs 34 and 35 will prevent the can from being bent as the strip is being removed, and also the can will be kept stationary by these members. After the strip 11 has been initially locked between the cam surface 32 of the shaft 27 and the cradle 23, finger pressure on the bar 26 can be released. Initially, the can opener may be gripped as shown in Figure 1 with the fingers engaging the portions 33 and 20. Then, with the end of the strip 11 projecting into the cutout 24, the handle 29 and bar 26 are moved towards each other to lock the strip therein. Then, by turning the crank 30, the metal strip is wound ofi of the can onto the cradle 23. The bar 26 Patented Nov. 19, 1957 is secured to the support member 22 so that these two parts rotate in unison. The interior of the cradle 23 may be provided with a flattened portion which defines a shoulder that prevents the shaft 27 from rotating 360 degrees in the cradle so that the strip will be. wedged therein. There is further provided a pair of washers 36 and 37 which are mounted on the portion 21- of the member 22 with a snug fit. The washers 36- and 37 are arranged on opposite sides of the straight portion 17, Figure 2. The slot 18 permits the parts to move outwardly as the key strip is unrolled from the can. The washers 36 and 37 are provided with circular openings therein for receiving therein the portion 21 of the member 22.

I claim:

In a can opener, a base, a flat section extending from said base and terminating in a straight portion, said straight portion lying in a plane which is substantially parallel to the plane of the base, said flat section being arranged at right angles with respect tothe major portion of said base, a lip extending downwardly from said straight portion and terminating in a curved portion for engagement by a persons finger, said lip being arranged at right angles with respect to said straight portion, a pair of arcuate lugs extending downwardly from said base for engagement with the sides of a can so as to maintain the can opener in its proper position as the key strip is being removed, there being a slot in said straight portion, a support member embodying a stem portion adjustably mounted in said slot, said support member further including a cradle provided with a longitudinally extending cutout for receiving an end of the strip being removed, said support member further embodying a reduced diameter portion, a shaft rotatably mounted in said support member and embodying a reduced diameter end portion,v a locking bar connected to the reduced diameter portion of said support member, a handle connected to the reduced diameter end portion of said shaft, a hand grip connected to said handle for rotating the handle and shaft, a clamp for retaining the handle connected: to the end portion of the shaft, said base being provided with a central oifset portion for engagement with the end wall of the can, said shaft being further provided with a fiat section that defines a cam whereby a portion of the key strip can be locked in the cradle when the shaft is rotated.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,140,151 Dazey Dec. 13, 1938 2,286,039 Reynolds June 9, 1942 2,634,883 Stiller Apr. 14, 1953 2,732,094 Gilmour Jan. 24, 1956 

